Feb. 3, 2011 -- SAN DIEGO -- Access Scientific, Inc., makers of the PICC WAND® and POWERWAND®, announced the addition of Roger Hungerford to the Board of Directors. Hungerford joins the organization as a result of his participation in the recent financing round at Access Scientific (ASI).

Hungerford is CEO of Axiom, an early-stage investment company specializing in medical devices and services. He is also the founder and CEO of SIGMA International, which designs and manufactures smart infusion pumps for hospitals and professional care settings throughout the U.S.

"I'm excited to be associated with ASI's effort to create safer, more patient-friendly, less expensive approaches to vascular access," Hungerford said.

"Roger is an excellent addition to our board," said Dr. Bierman. "He understands what it takes to design and manufacture a safety product, such as The WAND, that delivers on its promise. I warmly welcome his contribution to our enterprise."

The WAND's proprietary technology is designed to make over-wire vascular access faster, safer and simpler. The device is designed to protect both patients and healthcare workers.

Patients benefit from The WAND through potentially reduced risk of complications such as guidewire embolism, air embolism, and bloodstream contamination. Healthcare workers benefit from the WAND's built-in needlestick protection and potentially reduced risk of splash contamination, as well as from increased productivity and time savings.

The company's PICC WAND® (4 Fr, 5 Fr and 6 Fr) is currently being distributed by Teleflex Medical. The device enables clinicians to insert a peelable sheath for PICC or midline catheter placement using the new Accelerated Seldinger Technique (AST).

The PICC WAND, which is already in use at more than a dozen hospitals, combines all components of the older, Modified Seldinger Technique (MST) -- the needle, guidewire, dilator and sheath - into one highly efficient device that also protects against accidental needlesticks. Additionally, its Fast-Flash™ feature provides early detection of vessel entry.

In development by ASI is the POWERWAND®, which is intended to simplify the placement of extended-dwell IV catheters for improved power-injectable vascular access. The POWER WAND has not yet received FDA 510(k) clearance.

About Access Scientific

Access Scientific, a privately held medical device company, is dedicated to providing a safer standard of over-wire vascular access through its proprietary WAND technology. ASI's team of seasoned device-company veterans is focused on improving patient and healthcare worker safety through the combination of superb design/engineering and exacting quality assurance. The WAND was developed by the same Venetec International, Inc. team that invented StatLock® catheter stabilization devices and made them the worldwide standard.

For further information on the company, go to www.The-Wand.com, email Customer Service at PCook@the-wand.com, or call 858-259-8333